Who or what is Offence in the Bible?

Ancient Context: Offence

⚡ IN BRIEF (SUMMARY)

The term 'offence' denotes a transgression against divine law or social order, encompassing acts that cause injury, violate moral codes, or breach established religious and civil norms within biblical and ancient historical contexts.

What is the meaning of Offence in the Bible?

The term 'offence' denotes a transgression against divine law or social order, encompassing acts that cause injury, violate moral codes, or breach established religious and civil norms within biblical and ancient historical contexts.

SIGNIFICANCE

Recognizing the dual nature of offence as both a civil infraction and a spiritual sin clarifies the legal and ethical frameworks of ancient Near Eastern and Greco-Roman societies, providing essential context for interpreting narratives of conflict, judgment, and reconciliation in biblical texts.

Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide

Ancient Cultural Lens: Avoid applying 21st-century Western assumptions to Offence. Examine how first-century or Near Eastern listeners understood this practice within their daily social dynamics.

Bible Study Reflection Prompts:

Why did the biblical author mention Offence in this passage?
What cultural or historical assumption does Offence clarify?

Source Attribution & Provenance

Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE) and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been editorially modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and formatted for fast contextual reference.

How to Cite This Entry

          "Offence." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/offence/
        

Offence